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iPhone X iPhone X Space Grey PVD/DLC Coated? More scratch resistant?

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UK-MacAddict

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May 11, 2010
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I cant seem to find any information or the usual Youtube scratch tests on the subject.

Does the iPhone X in space grey have the same scratch resistant DLC coating as the space black Apple Watch?

I have the silver iPhone X and the raw stainless steel is showing scratches already. I knew this would happen as I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, however I never realised the space black Apple Watch had a more resistant coating until after I ordered my X.

I wanted the space grey iPhone X but chose the silver in the end because I thought if it scratched just as easily as the raw stainless steel then it would be the better option to hide scratches. However since reading that the space black Apple Watch it very resilient to scratching I want to buy the space grey version of the iPhone X.

Can those who purchased the space grey iPhone X or those who have both shed any light on the subject?
 
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UK-MacAddict said:
I cant seem to find any information or the usual Youtube scratch tests on the subject.

Does the iPhone X in space grey have the same scratch resistant DLC coating as the space black Apple Watch?

I have the silver iPhone X and the raw stainless steel is showing scratches already. I knew this would happen as I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, however I never realised the space black Apple Watch had a more resistant coating until after I ordered my X.

I wanted the space grey iPhone X but chose the silver in the end because I thought if it scratched just as easily as the raw stainless steel then it would be the better option to hide scratches. However since reading that the space black Apple Watch it very resilient to scratching I want to buy the space grey version of the iPhone X.

Can those who purchased the space grey iPhone X or those who have both shed any light on the subject?
Click to expand...

Physical vapor deposition coating is not nearly as durable as the diamond like carbon coating used on the space black Apple Watch. A PVD coating used on the iPhone X is merely a process or the way it's treated, when DLC is more of a protective paint if you will.

Apple never specified How durable the PVD coating is, only that the space gray iPhone X bands are PVD coated.

You can however, remove the scratches off the silver iPhone X stainless bands with a cape cod cloth. .
 
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Apple no longer mentions DLC coatings on the website for their watches but they are DLC coated which was confirmed by an Apple Exec in an email. I'm hoping the same applies for the iPhone X.

It would be pretty easy to tell if space grey its more scratch resistant. I took my silver version out the box and rubbed a fingerprint off it and it left a mark.

Im very careful with my phones and never use them without a case. But I only use official Apple cases and the bottom is left exposed. The aluminium finish was very scratch resistant and the exposed speaker part on my 7 Plus is still like new. As long as the space grey can withstand just being pulled in and out of my pocket without scratching as easy as the silver version I'll be happy.
 
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UK-MacAddict said:
Apple no longer mentions DLC coatings on the website for their watches but they are DLC coated which was confirmed by an Apple Exec in an email. I'm hoping the same applies for the iPhone X.

It would be pretty easy to tell if space grey its more scratch resistant. I took my silver version out the box and rubbed a fingerprint off it and it left a mark.

Im very careful with my phones and never use them without a case. But I only use official Apple cases and the bottom is left exposed. The aluminium finish was very scratch resistant and the exposed speaker part on my 7 Plus is still like new. As long as the space grey can withstand just being pulled in and out of my pocket without scratching as easy as the silver version I'll be happy.
Click to expand...

I'm also in the same boat as you. I've got both the Space Grey and Silver versions of the X.

Love the Silver color on the X but I've got the same concerns about the exposed speaker part as I too use only Apple Leather cases.

As much as I love the Silver, I think I'm going to return it and keep the Space Grey.
 
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mpshah27 said:
I'm also in the same boat as you. I've got both the Space Grey and Silver versions of the X.

Love the Silver color on the X but I've got the same concerns about the exposed speaker part as I too use only Apple Leather cases.

As much as I love the Silver, I think I'm going to return it and keep the Space Grey.
Click to expand...

Given the silver can be polished in seconds with a stainless steel polishing cloth, I’d say it’s the safer bet.
 
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mpshah27 said:
I'm also in the same boat as you. I've got both the Space Grey and Silver versions of the X.

Love the Silver color on the X but I've got the same concerns about the exposed speaker part as I too use only Apple Leather cases.

As much as I love the Silver, I think I'm going to return it and keep the Space Grey.
Click to expand...

So you've found the SG version to be more resistant to scratching from having both in hand?

Does it get any scratches from just handling the phone like the raw silver version? If the SG gets little minor hairline scratches from just handling the phone or rubbing some fingerprints off it with a cloth then they're both just was bad as each other lol and I may as well stick with the silver where I at least have the option to polish them out.
 
I checked with a friend who had a Space Grey Series 0 Watch, warn solidly for two years.

The body was unscratched, so it bodes we’ll for the SG X.
 
When SG coating scratches it reveals the silver base. But truly, either not in a case after a decent about of time will show wear and tear.
 
tromboneaholic said:
As mentioned above, they are not using the same coating for Watch and iPhone.
Click to expand...
PVD is the coating process, a manufacturing technique. DLC is the coating itself with makes it more scratch resistant.

Apple no longer mentions DLC coating on its space black watches but they are indeed DLC coated. So hoping that even though they didn't mention DLC coating on the iPhone X, because its gone through the same process as the space black watch it will also be DLC coated.

There is no concrete evidence yet that says either way.
 
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UK-MacAddict said:
PVD is the coating process, a manufacturing technique. DLC is the coating itself with makes it more scratch resistant.

Apple no longer mentions DLC coating on its space black watches but they are indeed DLC coated. So hoping that even though they didn't mention DLC coating on the iPhone X, because its gone through the same process as the space black watch it will also be DLC coated.

There is no concrete evidence yet that says either way.
Click to expand...
That’s fine, but my aluminum Watch has no scratches, while my aluminum iPhone 6 does. They are used a little differently.
 
tromboneaholic said:
That’s fine, but my aluminum Watch has no scratches, while my aluminum iPhone 6 does. They are used a little differently.
Click to expand...

The PVD process and DLC coating is only used on the stainless steel space black Apple Watch, pending confirmation of its use on the SG iPhone X.
 
UK-MacAddict said:
The PVD process and DLC coating is only used on the stainless steel space black Apple Watch, pending confirmation of its use on the SG iPhone X.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but my watch has no scratches while my phone does. A space gray watch with no scratches doesn’t bode well or bode ill for a phone to be scratch free.
 
tromboneaholic said:
As mentioned above, they are not using the same coating for Watch and iPhone.
Click to expand...
The Space Black Watch uses DLC. The Space Grey Watch uses something different, which I’m struggling to find a specific description of since there hasn’t been much discussion of this since the original launch in 2015.

I was answering from the perspective of a Space Grey device, which is more likely comparable?
 
tromboneaholic said:
Agreed, but my watch has no scratches while my phone does. A space gray watch with no scratches doesn’t bode well or bode ill for a phone to be scratch free.
Click to expand...
Very true. Although I am very careful with all my tech. I always use a case and screen glass. I am only interested in the DLC coating for the bottom exposed part of the phone when using an Apple case because everything else will be protected so doesnt matter.

I don't want to take the phone out the case to sell in a years time and have a scratched up bottom portion but everywhere else is like new.
 
This video is interesting. Around 6:45 the X is dropped from head height on its edge and seems very robust.


The FaceID module is non-functional after multiple impacts, but the shell is in very good condition at the end. So this suggests strong resilience to scratches in more normal use.
 
I will say, I am usually VERY careful with my devices. My SG iPhone X has several micro scratches on the sides now, no drops, from what I can only assume are from my wedding band.
 
On Nov 3 and Nov 4, while trying to decide between the two colours, I must have checked 5-6 of both colours.

The lightning port of the Silver ones are scratched up on all of them. Only 1 of the SG has some marks, and it wasn’t as noticeable as the Silver scratches.


Not the most scientific or definitive, but that’s my observation.
 
WilliamG said:
The space grey X scratched pretty easily with a key in my testing. Didn’t take much force either. And once it’s scratched you can’t fix it like you can with polishing the silver model.
Click to expand...
I personally prefer the feel of the stainless without the coating. I was surprised that early indications tended to show the SG models were more popular. I’m using the phone case-less, so being able to buff out a scratch if I feel like it is a good option to have...
 
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Ok I’m really all for the space gray, even though I went with the Silver.

I will say this, and it’s fairly accurate as I have had both Apple watches.

The Space Black Watch is very hard to scratch, and I don’t think it’s the same as the new iPhone X. But that silver stainless steel watch was an absolute scratch magnet, lol I think air would scratch it.

For the phones I’ve seen both the space gray and silver iPhone X in the store and to be honest both had tiny scratches by the charge port. More so on the silver model.

Will one scratch easier than the other, only time will tell, I do think SG will be a little more resilient, but once it’s sctatched it’s a wrap, as for the silver, same boat people. I can’t see taking a cape code cloth to the iPhone X, if any residue gets into a port or on the screen, you have a very expensive problem on your hands.

Right now I’m using an Apple silicone case on my silver X and the bottom is of course exposed, looks really nice, but man that’s exposure in every aspect. My iPhone 7plus was a joy, that matte black is something I never had to worry about. With this ehhhh, so for that I may just switch to the space gray since I love the Apple cases. Just a pita at the moment since stock is a little scarce.
 
knihc2008 said:
I will say, I am usually VERY careful with my devices. My SG iPhone X has several micro scratches on the sides now, no drops, from what I can only assume are from my wedding band.
Click to expand...
What's your wedding band made of? (some are tungsten carbide, which is a 9 on the mohs scale).

=========

A little concerned that @WilliamG was able to scratch his with a key.

I do have the Space Black DLC coated Watch (my second one now). We're NOT talking about aluminum guys. The DLC coating on the watch in incredibly resistant to abuse. 2+ years on my first watch through everything I could throw at it...not a scratch!

None of us yet knows what particulate was used for the Space Grey iPhone X. I was hoping it was DLC - just a different colour / combination of carbon for the phone. But, if it scratches that easily, it certainly isn't.

I know some people had complaints about the black link bracelet - that's also coated using the PVD process, but it's a thinner coating than the watch body...not sure if it's using the DLC particulate, but it is thinner and will show signs of wearing thin over time (or through repetitive, abrasive use).

I guess we'll see how durable the SG iPhone X is in real use. Rocking mine naked...we'll see how it does. :)
 
I have the SG and feel more comfortable with a case on it so I can use it without worry of scratching. I found a wonderful case. It is transparent but is tinted black. I cannot even tell that I have a case on my phone. It's an amazing case:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B074319TRV

I first tried a clear case and it made the phone look silver, for some reason. This tinted black one is perfect for SG.
 
fischersd said:
What's your wedding band made of? (some are tungsten carbide, which is a 9 on the mohs scale).
Click to expand...

Ha- it is. Honestly my ring has been through the ringer (sorry) and doesn't have a single scratch on it

Good to know that's why it scratches the iPhone so easily.

Micro scratches are driving me crazy.. tempted to return this one and get a new one lol. Someone stop me
 
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knihc2008 said:
Ha- it is. Honestly my ring has been through the ringer (sorry) and doesn't have a single scratch on it

Good to know that's why it scratches the iPhone so easily.

Micro scratches are driving me crazy.. tempted to return this one and get a new one lol. Someone stop me
Click to expand...

Can you post some pics of the scratches?
 
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